Walking the Great Wall

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• AC

  Alison
  Written on April 27, 2018

  5.0 - Excellent

  The trip exceeded expectations. Our guide in Beijing was exemplary and shared with us so many aspects about his culture and history. The range of activities was far reaching and the ability to appreciate two cities (we did the Xian extension) together with the rural aspects of China was appreciated.

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• SB

  Steph
  Written on April 15, 2017

  5.0 - Excellent

  Just back from hiking the Great Wall of China and it has been awesome. From start to finish Exodus and Jerry the local tour Manager have made sure everything was taken care of so we could enjoy this once in a lifetime trip, The weather early April was superb, crystal clear skies whilst hiking, great to stay in the local communities as well as experiencing Beijing,

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  Anonymous
  Written on November 7, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  This was a trip of a lifetime! Trekking the Great Wall was an amazing experience, led by a brilliant guide. Would highly recommend it!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Actually walking on the Great Wall is an incredible experience. You trek on various sections, so every day is different. It's challenging - more so than I expected! - but the scenery is breathtaking and you get a real sense of the scale of the wall. I loved the 'Spiderman' sections, where you're literally clambering up on your hands and knees, which all adds to the experience. If you like trekking, this trip is a must!I also did the Xi'an extension to see the terracotta warriors which was well worth it. Xi'an itself is a fascinating city full of hustle and bustle, and cycling round the old city walls is a great way to see it, as well as wandering the streets taking in the sights, sounds and smells.What did you think of your group leader?Jerry was our guide for Beijing and the wall and he was brilliant! Really passionate and enthusiastic, and he loves a joke! He took great care of us and made the trip even more special. He organised everything down to the smallest detail so we really didn't have to think for ourselves. Would love to have him on every trip!Do you have any advice for potential travellers?You do need to be reasonably fit to do this trip and have a good head for heights, but if you like a challenge without pushing yourself to extremes, this will suit you. Be prepared for some very basic conditions (I took a sleeping bag so always had clean bedding, plus it did get very cold on some nights), and if you don't like Chinese food, then take plenty of snacks as you'll be eating it for breakfast, lunch and dinner! (The food was excellent though!)Make sure you have a large memory card for your camera as you'll end up with hundreds of photos - every few steps the wall looks more breathtaking than where you've just come from, and you'll always be chasing that perfect picture!Is there anything else you would like to add?China has never been on my list of must-see places, but after this trip, I'm wishing I'd been sooner! It really is a fascinating country. All the people we met there were simply lovely and so hospitable. The food was great, Jerry was a star and I'll never forget the scenery from the wall and the sights and sounds of Beijing and Xi'an. If you're having any doubts about whether this trip is for you, take it from someone who wasn't fussed about going either and get it on your bucket list now!!
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  Anonymous
  Written on October 8, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  The China trip was organised to perfection, those employed to make the trip a success in China worked hard and always with individuals interest - a credit to your partners.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Walking along the natural sections of the great wall, including the more challenging sections that made me realise the conditions those who both guarded the country from insurgents and overcame the battles to move forward and the conditions they must have survived from. Not forgetting those who built the walls all those years ago. Add to this our visit to the Terracotta Army, I can only say it blew me away when I entered Pit 2. and all the interesting info structure.What did you think of your group leader?Kevin working from Beijing gave 100% and made the trip + additional activities work without a hitch, it was a sad time when Kevin put us on the overnight train to Xi'an.The following morning we were met by Dominic who soon took over our care and carried on the support we had grown to accept as normal. The drivers were professional under quite strenuous driving conditions you can only understand when being in the traffic in China.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Be prepared for some tough conditions underfoot, and openly accept gracefully the conditions within the home stay especially the Wet Rooms that do live up to their name, but accept it as part of the overall experience.If you add on the Xi'an extension you will experience first class accommodation, enjoy it.Is there anything else you would like to add?Personally I can recommend Exodus if you have not used this company before, for me five under my belt, one already booked and one next November 2014 planned.  Go for it you will not be disappointed.
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  Anonymous
  Written on October 8, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  Outstanding local rep with Kevin (Great Wall of China). Trip was just as described.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Being in less tourist type places.What did you think of your group leader?Kevin really made the trip. Great sense of humour, kept us safe, helped us bond as a group and organised a Birthday cake for my husband.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Bed's in China are incredibly hard, having experienced this before we took sleeping bags to have extra cushioning. Walking poles are a great help for this trip.
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  Anonymous
  Written on October 7, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  the trek exceeded my expectations and encourages me to book another trek.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The Great Wall was amazing and each stretch confirmed that the Wall is well worth the visit.What did you think of your group leader?Jerry Wu was knowledgeable and attentive throughout the trek, and Mr Han the driver was good and safe, and kept us supplied with water!Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Do it and note that I am 71 and managed without problem so you can.Is there anything else you would like to add?I did not add the trip to Xi-an but this should be considers next time!
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  Anonymous
  Written on August 28, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  An excellent trip, well organised, and a real experience! Each day brought a new challenge, and our Tour Leader Jerry was a fantastic leader - a real motivator on achey mornings! The food was the biggest culture shock, but if you aren't fussy it wont be a problem - try everything! Tips? Take Baby Wipes, buy a camel back, and stash some sweets! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Their are parts of the wall that are very busy, and our group did not enjoy these as much - however, as you hike further you become quite alone on the trail and you feel like you're the only ones for miles around. The views were sensational, and although the days were hot, it was worth it for the stunning views; we had blue skies and really green land which made the wall really prominant and even more impressive than I had imagined. It was, at times, a lot harder than I had envisaged but the view from the highest points and the satisfaction you got from reaching the top of "the stairway to heaven" was amazing! My favourite climb was what Jerry called the "Spiderman" wall, as we had to use hands to get us up - we all had so much fun climbing up, and the views were worth the effort!What did you think of your group leader?Our group Leader, Jerry, made my holiday. He was the perfect leader and provided us with excellent local knowledge, information about food and provisions, and a lot of laughs. He was a great motivator on achey mornings, and ensured that the group kept together without keeping us under each other's feet. He truly felt like a good friend  by the end of the holiday!Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Make sure you take a nice big pack of baby wipes - they are great for wiping sweat, cleaning hands, and using in the toilet (very few toilets had toilet roll so take your own or baby wipes)Do not be fussy with food - try as many things as possible, and ensure you stock yourself up for the hikes; they give you big lunches etc for a reason! I'm not a lover of water, but you really do need to drink lots and lots to get you through the days - in hindsight I would have taken some squash or water flavour pouches to ensure that I drank more. On top of that - I was very jealous of those that had camel backs, because they didn't have to faff taking water out of their bags on steep parts, and it didn't get warm in an outside pocket; I will be investing in one for my next trip! Stock up on some supplies before you go - we were craving a little sugar hit, chocolate or coffee a few days in due to the food being a bit samey and a lack of desserts for our sweet tooths, and the exercise being so demanding. Stock up in beijing or bring some treats in your bag - a fruit pastel was the best thing ever after a steep up hill hike.When I changed up my sterling in to chinese currency I only got 100 notes - when you are in beijing ensure you change up around 300 into 10s - there isn't much change available, and you don't want to give the water sellers etc 100 notes! I spent just under £350, that includes a shopon the last day in the silk market.  Is there anything else you would like to add?The bus was an excellent size - much better than a small mini bus that I expected.The flight times are hard work though - arriving at 9am and doing an all day walking tour within 3 hours was hard work; a night's sleep would have made me enjoy the first day a lot more! But overall, a trip of a lifetme, that I would recommend to anyone!Book it! You'll love it!
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  Anonymous
  Written on August 27, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  A really enjoyable trip, with a great guide and a fantastic group of people. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?I really enjoyed the variety of walks on the Great Wall. Each day brought different scenery, and different challenges, whether it was steep climbs, or lots of steps. But the scenery was always amazing. I also enjoyed getting out into the countryside and seeing how people lived both in the cities, the suburbs and in the villages. The people were friendly and helpful, even though the language was a barrier! The accommodation in the guest houses was generally comfortable, and it was lovely to stay with families rather than in hotels all the time. In Xian, the street food was fanastic, and it was great fun walking around the markets and food stalls.  I found the Terracotta Warriors fascinating, and I would recommend taking the opportunity to see them if you can. It was fun travelling on the train to get there too. What did you think of your group leader?Jerry was great. He made sure that we were looked after in every way. He had a huge knowledge of the Wall, and told the stories in an enjoyable way. He had a great sense of humour, and he really added to the trip. His enthusiasm and encouragement ensured that everyone got the most out of the trip. Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Bring toilet paper, a towel and walking poles ( quite a few steep ascents and descents to get on and off the Wall).  If you go in the summer, be prepared for the heat. I didnt use the sleeping bag liner I brought at all- all the linen was clean. Flip flops for the bathrooms are essential. Is there anything else you would like to add?This is a fascinating trip, in a country which is really interesting. Walking on the Wall is a great way to see a bit of the countryside, and to see how people live outside of the cities. Going on an organised tour like this, you feel like you get a better idea of what life is like in China. Go for it!!!
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  Anonymous
  Written on August 25, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  A rare treat of a trip which allows you to be at 'one' with the Great Wall, seeing expanses of countryside, staying in local, friendly guesthouses with a dash of Beijing at beginning and end!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The first day and a half of walking on the Great Wall - stunning scenery and amazing to walk and scramble the Wall with just the rest of group for company.  It really was OUR Great Wall.  I felt very honoured to be there. Six days of walking different sections of the Wall held everyone's interest - seeing the different architecture and materials used. The sweeping views at every turn - breathtaking.  The local guesthouses were a surprisingly pleasant experience.  Friendly and welcoming.  Plentiful, well cooked food and clean beds.  Sure, the bathrooms were basic and not always the most clean.  That is why you take flip flops, right?  The guesthouse in Gubeiko, where we spent two nights, was lovely.  Three generations of a Chinese family looked after us.  Even found us a mah-jong set when the thunderstorms set in one evening.  Then sat beside us and helped us to play.  Sign language works wonders.What did you think of your group leader?Kevin was a legend!  My life is now BK (before Kevin) and AK (after Kevin).  He was a fantastic facilitator and made the trip extra special.  He had wonderful knowledge and insight.  He excelled at every turn and nothing was too much trouble. On our last day of walking the Wall - we were taking a break and one of our group asked him to sing the National Anthem - he obliged.  Singing with such passion and surety. The hairs stood up on my arms. Awesome man.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Six days of walking sounds arduous but, on average, we were walking approx. 3 to 4 hours a day.  We had one 'tough' day when we walked for 5 and a half hours.  It is very up and down and the terrain in rough.  You need to watch your footing pretty much all of the time.  So remember to stop from time to time and take it all in!! All of the guesthouses and hotels had clean linen - I took a sleeping bag liner as a just in case and did use it a few times.  The state run hotel in Jingshangling is grim - damp and visible mould on the walls.  Apparently all foreign tourists are required to stay there.  Kevin did prepare us but it was a depressingly place to spend the night.  All part of the adventure! Can see the funny side now.Food was hot, plentiful and tasty.  We had a veggie and gluten-free in our group and Kevin liaised with the guesthouses to ensure we were well fed.  Aubergine and tomato dish a particular favourite with us all! Egg fried rice seemed to appear at every turn but it was tasty and even got used to having it for breakfast.August is hot hot hot! Averaging 34 degrees with high humidity.  April, May, September would probably be better months to do this particular trip.Essentials - wick away tops, hat (no shade on the Wall!), good mosquito repellent, flip flops, spare pillowcase, snacks (Chinese in rural areas seem to eat three meals a day with nothing in between!) Be aware that the humidity means that handwashing does not really dry - apart from the thinnest wick away top!Is there anything else you would like to add?This is an amazing trip made even more memorable by our wonderful guide Kevin - a true Chinese gentleman!
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  Anonymous
  Written on August 13, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  Excellent adventure holiday - just the right amount of physical and mental challenge. I also learnt so much more about Chinese history and culture than I thought I would thanks to our fabulous tour leader Jerry. All in all a fantastix experience and I would thoroughly recommend it.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?From start to finish it exceeded my expectations. The wall was very diferent to what I had imagined. Each day was different and the variety of the treks really added to the experience.  The most inspirational day for me was overcoming my own fears and challenging myself to walk the 'stairway to heaven' on day 2!What did you think of your group leader?Fantastic. He was genuinely enthusiatic about trekking and the history of the Great Wall which allowed him to teach us more about Chinese history and culture than I had anticipated and it has certaintly wetted my appetite to learn more.He had a great sense of humour, looked after us amazingly well and was there to answer all our questions and help us whenever we needed him. I cannot rate him more highly!Do you have any advice for potential travellers?I would advice anyone who is considering this trip to read the exodus grading system. If you do not feel you are physically capable of taking on the challenge then don't go. If you do feel like you are up to it - go for it - it is an experience I will treasure.Is there anything else you would like to add?I was in a group of 15 people in total and everyone was great. It was a really good sized group to be in.